Abstract: A network browser and wagering game toolbar (“toolbar”) are described herein. The network browser has a main display area that can display content. The toolbar can be in, or a part of, the network browser. The network browser and the toolbar can receive and display content. Specifically, the toolbar can receive and display wagering game content from a wagering game network as the main display area can receive and display content originating outside the wagering game network. In some embodiments, the toolbar can present content originating from one or more wagering game player accounts that provide audience participation in, or related to, wagering game activity presented on the toolbar.

Abstract: A browser application and toolbar are described according to some embodiments. The browser application presents wagering game content in a toolbar. Some embodiments are directed to determining that a first player account uses the toolbar to access the wagering game content, determining that a second player account referred the first player account in response to determination that the first player account uses the toolbar, and providing a referral award to the second player account for referring the first player account.

Abstract: A gaming machine having an enhanced game play scheme is provided where, in response to receipt of a second wager to select an option, a player is provided with enhanced game play. Enhanced game play may include (1) providing more frequent bonus game play, (2) providing a larger bonus game value payout, (3) providing more frequent bonus game play and providing a larger bonus game value payout, (4) providing a larger or multiplied game value payout, (5) providing a guaranteed value payout for a non-winning outcome, (6) providing game features (7) providing a larger game value payout based on a partial game outcome, (8) providing an extra wild symbol capable of repositioning, and (9) providing a possibility of an additional reel movement to reposition an extra reel symbol or (10) providing a possibility of an extra pay line to include an extra reel symbol to increase a value payout.

Abstract: A gaming system for playing a wagering game includes a gaming machine and a controller operatively associated with the gaming machine. The controller is configured to temporarily pause a game-in progress on the gaming machine following the occurrence of a pause event. The controller is also configured to reinstate a game-in progress on the gaming machine following the occurrence of an end-pause event.

Abstract: A method of operating a plurality of wagering game tournaments on a plurality of gaming machines includes receiving a wager from a player to play a wagering game on a gaming machine of the plurality of gaming machines. The method further includes providing an option, at the gaming machine, to enter the plurality of wagering game tournaments. The method also includes entering at least one of the plurality of wagering game tournaments and playing in any entered tournament when the tournament begins.

Abstract: A gaming system for conducting a wagering game includes an input device for receiving a wager to play a wagering game. The gaming system further includes a primary display (14) for displaying a first array of symbols (173) that indicates a randomly selected outcome of the wagering game. The gaming system further includes a secondary display (16) for displaying a secondary array of symbols (181) that indicates a secondary outcome of the wagering game. In response to a predetermined criterion, at least one winning symbol (175a, 175c) is moved from a first position in the first array to a second position in the secondary array to create a modified secondary array that indicates a winning outcome.

Abstract: A gaming system for playing a wagering game and a community event includes a first gaming machine and a second gaming machine. The first gaming machine determines a randomly selected community-event outcome for the community event, and sends information related to the outcome to at least one other gaming machine of the plurality of gaming machines. The second gaming machine receives the information from the first gaming machine and plays the community event.

Abstract: A network browser and toolbar objects are described herein. The network browser has a main display area that can display content. The toolbar objects can be on a toolbar that is a part of the network browser. The toolbar objects indicate information associated with wagering games. The network browser and the toolbar objects can receive and display content. Specifically, the toolbar objects can process and present wagering games using wagering game play elements (e.g., icons, graphics, etc.) on the toolbar. The toolbar can also have controls, configurations and settings associated with the toolbar, which the toolbar can communicate to a wagering game provider to determine game results. The toolbar can use the controls, configurations, and settings to affect the presentation of wagering game information on the toolbar, to control the presentation of game results using the wagering game play elements, etc.

Abstract: A gaming system for conducting a wagering game includes a game display configured to display an array of symbols indicating a randomly selected outcome of the wagering game in response to receiving a wager from a player, an input device adapted to receive inputs from a player and to output a signal to a controller corresponding to the player inputs and a controller configured to conduct a wagering game and a game feature associated with the wagering game. The controller is further configured to enable play of the wagering game responsive to an input of a first wager and to enable the game feature responsive to an input of a second wager further to the first wager. The game feature provides an opportunity for the player to receive, further to a winning outcome in the wagering game, a first positive feature in the game feature, and provides an opportunity for the player to receive, further to a losing outcome in the wagering game, a second positive feature in the game feature.

Abstract: A method of playing a wagering game comprises receiving a wager, and generating a randomly selected first outcome of a first wagering game, the first outcome comprising a first plurality of symbols arranged in a first matrix. The method further comprises generating a randomly selected second outcome of a second wagering game, the second outcome comprising a second plurality of symbols arranged in a second matrix, and simultaneously displaying the first outcome and the second outcome on at least one display. The method further comprises detecting an occurrence of a triggering event, in response to the triggering event, copying a first special symbol occurring in the first outcome into the second outcome to yield a modified second outcome, and evaluating the first outcome and the modified second outcome for winning combinations of symbols.

Abstract: A method for conducting a wagering game comprises receiving a wager and displaying a randomly selected outcome, the randomly selected outcome comprising a plurality of symbols arranged in an array. The array comprises a plurality of symbol positions, the plurality of symbols occupying the symbol positions. Each of the plurality of symbols is selected from a set of available symbols, the set of available symbols including a plurality of standard symbols and at least one mystery symbol. The method further comprises detecting the presence of the at least one mystery symbol in at least one of the symbol positions in the array and randomly selecting one replacement symbol from the plurality of standard symbols. The method further comprises replacing all occurrences of the at least one mystery symbol in the array with the replacement symbol to create a modified array and evaluating the modified array for winning combinations of standard symbols in accordance with a pay table of the wagering game.

Abstract: A gaming machine for conducting a wagering game includes a value input device for receiving a wager and a display for displaying a plurality of symbols arranged on a plurality of reels. The symbols indicate a randomly-selected outcome selected from a plurality of possible outcomes, the plurality of outcomes including at least one winning outcome. The gaming machine further includes a controller operative to receive a volatility input from a player of the gaming machine. The controller is further operative to associate an award with the at least one winning outcome wherein the associated award is either a first award amount or a second award amount based upon the volatility input. Upon the occurrence of the at least one winning outcome, the controller awards the associated award to the player.

Abstract: A wagering game system its operations are described herein. In embodiments, the operations can include determining a player account, from a network wagering venue, that is eligible to participate in a network-wide wagering game event, and selecting the player account to be a player that performs for an audience of other users. The player can win at least some portion of awards by playing a wagering game during the network-wide wagering game event. Audience member users can participate in the event using interactive features (e.g., betting features, chat features, etc.) presented in a presentation, or view, of the network-wide wagering game event. The operations can also include involving, or incorporating, the audience members, into the network-wide wagering game event in a variety of ways, such as assisting the player participant to perform better at the wagering game, engaging in side-bets, receiving awards, etc.

Abstract: A gaming system for playing a wagering game comprises at least one display adapted to display a plurality of reels having symbols. The symbols indicate a randomly selected outcome of the wagering game. The plurality of reels includes at least one single-symbol reel and at least one multi-symbol reel. The at least one display is adapted to display at least one payline overlapping at least one symbol from the at least one single-symbol reel and at least one symbol from the at least one multi-symbol reel.

Abstract: A gaming system includes a plurality of linked gaming machines, each gaming machine including a display for displaying a plurality of symbols that indicates a randomly selected outcome of a wagering game. The randomly selected outcome is selected from a plurality of outcomes in response to a wager input. Each gaming machine allows a player to achieve a player level from a plurality of player levels. The gaming system further includes a controller linked to the gaming machines. The controller is adapted to permit a certain community-event game from a plurality of community-game events to be played at two or more of gaming machines in response to a conditional state at the gaming machines. The conditional state is a function of the player levels at the gaming machines.

Abstract: A method for conducting a community wagering game on one or more gaming devices comprises receiving a first wager from a first player and determining a first modifier associated with the first player based upon play of a first base game. The method further comprises triggering and displaying a community gaming event comprising a competition and determining a finishing order of a plurality of participants in the competition, the plurality of participants including at least first and second participants. The method further comprises associating the first player with the first participant, determining a first prize value for the first participant, the first prize value based upon the finishing order, and awarding the first player a first award comprising the first prize value as modified by the first modifier.

Abstract: A gaming system includes one or more processors and one or more memory devices storing instructions that, when executed by at least one of the one or more processors, cause the gaming system to perform a plurality of operations. The operations include awarding a plurality of points to a player, and, in response to a predetermined number of the points being redeemed by the player, accessing or modifying wagering game content.

Abstract: A gaming machine for playing a wagering game includes a display and a controller. The display displays a plurality of spinning reels that stop to indicate a randomly selected outcome of a plurality of outcomes in response to accepting a wager input from a player. The controller is in communication with the display and is operative to conduct the wagering game in accordance with a basic set of gaming rules. The controller is further operative to cause a modification to a gaming rule of the basic set of gaming rules and to indicate the modification to the player.

Abstract: A gaming system comprises a wager input device for receiving a wager and a display for displaying a wagering game having a plurality of reels comprised of a plurality of symbols. A controller operates to (i) detect receipt of the wager; (ii) activate a play of the wagering game by spinning the reels on the display; (iii) display at least one play enhancement icon on the display; (iv) cause the spinning reels to stop and the display to display a randomly selected outcome of the wagering game; and (v) enhance the randomly selected outcome of the wagering game in response to the at least one play enhancement icon on the display at any time including at least one of before spinning the reels on the display, during spinning the reels on the display, and after spinning the reels on the display.

Abstract: A wagering game system includes an input device, a display device, and one or more memory devices storing instructions that, when executed by a controller, cause the wagering game system to display an expected-value indicator on the display device and receive, via the input device, an input indicative of at least one wager. The instructions further cause the wagering game system to add a portion of the at least one wager to an actual turnover for a progressive jackpot and update the expected-value indicator to indicate the actual turnover for the progressive prize relative to a theoretical average trigger value, thereby indicating a theoretical probability that the progressive jackpot will be awarded and award the progressive jackpot in response to a triggering event.